The 20 best 'Family Guy' supporting characters, ranked

Meg Griffin's nemesis at James Woods High School, Connie (voiced by Lisa Wilhoit and Fairuza Balk for one episode) is the typical social queen bee. She's pretty, popular and full of herself. She's mean to Meg unless she wants something and once tried to frame Lois Griffin for murder. However, the Griffins have managed to get the best of Connie on occasion. Connie is not very bright and somewhat insecure. We believe she still has a thing for mysterious school rebel Lando Griffin. 

If Peter had a true nemesis, it would be the Giant Chicken (voiced by Danny Smith), who we eventually learn is named Ernie. For years, Peter and the Chicken would get in lengthy knock-down, dragged-out brawls that usually left both bloodied and haggard. Some of their fights are downright legendary. However, there are times when they don't even remember what they were fighting about in the first place. Then, there was the time Lois fought with the Chicken's wife, Nicole.

As legend has it, The Greased-Up Deaf Guy (voiced by Mike Henry) became the way he is following the explosion of an oil-tank truck while walking to work. He's been referred to as a "local folk legend," likes to disrupt the local pharmacy, and is part of an annual contest where citizens of Quahog try to catch him. Viewers also learn that The Greased-Up Deaf Guy might be Griffin family dog Brian's cocaine supplier. 

He lives in the closet of Chris Griffin and usually terrorizes the boy by simply pointing and gritting his teeth. That's enough to send Chris into a tizzy and cause him great alarm. However, the Evil Monkey (voiced by Danny Smith) apparently didn't turn evil until finding his wife had an affair, flipped out, and lost his home, job and money. When not scaring Chris, Evil Monkey likes to unwind with a joint. As time passed, Chris and the monkey (sort of) formed a friendship. Chris' metal band's most popular song was "Evil Monkey."

Originally voiced by the late great Norm MacDonald, then Adam Carolla. Dressed as the Grim Reaper, without a face and only a skeleton for his body, Death makes his way around Quahog, deciding who will be his next victim. He spends a lot of time with Peter but never takes his life — at least not for long. Death uses an inhaler and seems frightened of his mother, especially when late to dinner. Death also has difficulty picking up girls and keeping a romantic relationship.

The principal of Quahog's Adam West High School (formerly James Woods High). Principal Shepherd (voiced by the great Gary Cole) likes to ride a Big Wheel through the school hallways and has struggled to adjust to being a divorcee. The overweight, balding Shepherd tries to act cool around his students but tends to fall short and isn't all that bright. Perhaps a bit creepy, too. Still, when it comes to the subtle comedy of this long-running animated hit, Principal Shepherd is a severely underrated character. 

Two members of Quahog's Channel 5 News team. In the often push-the-boundary-of-bad-taste comedy of Family Guy, Takanawa (voiced by Alex Borstein) and Williams (voiced by Phil LaMarr) are two of the many victims. Takanawa provides on-the-scene coverage, including some of the strangest stories in Quahog. Williams, meanwhile, delivers the forecast. He talks fast, usually in spurts, often with one-word responses to anchor Tom Tucker's questions.

We won't get into any controversy regarding Woods' conservative political views, but his presence — in name or animated form — has provided years of entertaining moments. The veteran actor grew up in Rhode Island, where Family Guy takes place in the fictional town of Quahog. He's lent his voice to playing himself while regularly poking fun at his own persona. The local high school was named after him for years, and he often made his way into the Griffin family dynamic. He has performed musical numbers with Peter, generally dislikes Brian, and is fond of candy. 

A local Quahog maid who tends to pop up seemingly everywhere in the town. Consuela served as the Griffin family housekeeper for a stretch, but that didn't work out (walking in on Peter in the bathroom or stealing Stewie's play money). Consuela (voiced by Mike Henry) is a woman of few words.

The longtime co-anchor of Quahog's Channel 5 News. Diane (voiced by Lori Alan) has no problem delivering the news on-air, and her public disdain for fellow anchor Tom Tucker (more on him later) makes for some memorable broadcast moments. However, Dianne is dysfunctional. She ultimately meets her demise while trying to shoot Lois during a failed attempt to kill James Woods and frame Tom Tucker, which results in other murders. Stewie eventually saves the day.

Bruce (voiced by Mike Henry) seems to hold several jobs (consignment store clerk, minister, boxing referee, spirit caller, etc.) throughout the town. He also finds himself part of the lives of several main characters. A local school board member, Bruce sports earrings and likes to wear sweaters and a brown vest. Some of Bruce's most noted phrases include "Heyyy" or "Oh no."

Seamus (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) is the proper representation of Quahog, Rhode Island, as a sea community. With peg arms and legs and that token pirate eye patch, Seamus is almost like the town mascot. A longtime fisherman, Seamus often hangs out at The Drunken Clam with Peter and the gang, tells stories of the sea, and delivers long-winded advice. Seamus even hosted his own talk show.   

The prominent Quahog pharmacist, Mort (voiced by Johnny Brennan) is certainly quirky. Of course, Mort is rather likable and totally harmless, though he often offers too much information about himself with that whiny voice. His son Neil is infatuated with Meg, and his wife Muriel was another victim of Diane Simmons' murder spree. Mort tried his hand at video dating after her death and eventually remarried. 

A longtime staple of the show, Mr. Herbert (voiced by Mike Henry) is an elderly gentleman who lives down the street from the Griffins. He uses a walker and wears a robe. He's a big fan of Chris Griffin and often speaks in innuendos when the two are talking. Mr. Herbert has plenty of popsicles in his basement for the neighborhood boys to enjoy, which is obviously problematic and troubling. He also owns a dog named Jesse, who might be as old as he is.

Perhaps Stewie's biggest rival. They met at a theatre school and were paired to perform together. Olivia (voiced by Rachael MacFarlane, sister of Seth MacFarlane). Olivia is more confident and talented than Stewie. She gets under his skin, but his competitiveness and disdain for Olivia soon turns into attraction. The "marriage" of Stewie and Olivia in season 5's "Chick Cancer" episode is one of the funniest moments in the animated sitcom's history. Their subsequent reunion is entertaining, too.

Voiced brilliantly by Drew Barrymore, Jillian is perhaps Brian's most well-known girlfriend. She's a twenty-something, stereotypical ditzy blonde who doesn't understand how to use a DVD player, is mystified by certain aspects of TV Guide, thinks lemons are killed to make lemonade and has an eating disorder. Jillian also has an interesting relationship with Peter — perhaps they reside on the same level of intellect. After breaking up with Brian, Jillian marries Derek Wilcox, who Diane Simmons later murders.

Regarding fictional doctors, Dr. Hartman (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) might be one of the worst. He's not medically intelligent (he doesn't know what the pancreas is), rather incompetent (he stitched his doctor's coat to Quagmire's head), and is often distracted. Yet, he's entertaining, especially when he performs successful plastic surgery on Peter. And, when it comes to delivering patient-room schtick, Dr. Hartman is the king. 

When it comes to those important figures in his life, infant Stewie Griffin seems most dependent on his stuffed teddy bear, Rupert. Yes, more than anybody in the Griffin household. Stewie shares his most intimate thoughts with his fluffy pal. There are times, though, when Stewie is upset with Rupert for not responding to his questions, comments, concerns, or whims. We can't forget when he found Rupert's cigarettes or his "interest" in someone else. Stewie is also quite defensive of his buddy and travels to Europe to find him when Brian accidentally sells Rupert. He also officiated Stewie's fake wedding to Olivia.

The famed Channel 5 News lead anchor is one of the most popular figures in all of Quahog. Self-absorbed, pompous, and arrogant, Tom Tucker (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) plays his local celebrity status to the hilt. His aforementioned battle of insults with former co-anchor Diane Simmons is legendary within the show's confines. But, like Diane, he's highly dysfunctional and has a son with an upside-down face. He also does not seem to be a fan of Peter, especially after the latter became more popular during his guest "What Really Grinds My Gears" segment. It's through that we learn the power of Tucker's mustache. 

It's not easy to pick just one supporting character Family Guy above the rest, but nobody seemed to steal scenes better than Mayor Adam West. Voiced by the late legendary actor, who had no problem poking fun at himself (much like the Batman character), Mayor West was beloved in Quahog. Though, he was not all that great at his job. He was often distracted, rolled around in toxic waste with the hope of earning superpowers, and had an innocent fling with Meg — and perhaps Rupert — before marrying Lois' sister. He loved when "amateurs" sang "Don't Stop Believin'" but hated baseball cards. Following his death, the high school was renamed in his honor.